Lexus Is Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Lexus Is car check
Is the Lexus Is reliable? We analysed 112,059 real MOT tests across 14,236 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Lexus Is? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Lexus Is is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Lexus Is.
Lexus Is Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Lexus Is. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Lexus Is MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Lexus Is to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Lexus Is Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on Lexus Is models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
Lexus Is Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Lexus Is owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Lexus Is MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Lexus Is year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 167 | 88.6% | 33,154 | 41,720 | 51,040 |
| 2020 | 2,147 | 90.8% | 20,226 | 31,911 | 51,192 |
| 2019 | 5,792 | 90.2% | 25,615 | 40,049 | 61,139 |
| 2018 | 8,584 | 91.4% | 27,112 | 42,450 | 63,305 |
| 2017 | 11,409 | 90.6% | 27,859 | 44,058 | 67,239 |
| 2016 | 16,790 | 89.0% | 31,633 | 49,926 | 77,598 |
| 2015 | 27,111 | 88.8% | 35,321 | 55,332 | 84,510 |
| 2014 | 33,762 | 88.0% | 39,703 | 61,656 | 92,441 |
| 2013 | 4,995 | 85.9% | 41,553 | 63,588 | 93,565 |
| 2010 | 94 | 78.7% | 89,397 | 112,343 | 139,334 |
| 2009 | 104 | 79.8% | 55,146 | 78,194 | 114,418 |
| 2007 | 185 | 80.5% | 73,440 | 107,544 | 130,888 |
| 2006 | 103 | 76.7% | 92,088 | 116,320 | 136,240 |
How Long Does a Lexus Is Last?
Based on 14,236 Lexus Is vehicles on UK roads.
Lexus Is Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Lexus Is MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Lexus Is
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
91.4% MOT pass rate from 8,584 tests
76.7% MOT pass rate from 103 tests
The best year to buy a used Lexus Is is 2018, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 91.4% across 8,584 tests. The 2006 model year has the lowest pass rate at 76.7% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Lexus Is Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lexus Is THIS CAR | 88.9% | 112,059 | 53,118 mi | 13 yrs |
| Lexus IS200 | 75.4% | 546,826 | 87,139 mi | 27 yrs |
| Lexus Ct | 86.8% | 304,916 | 55,351 mi | 15 yrs |
| Lexus RX300 | 79% | 229,652 | 83,424 mi | 26 yrs |
| Fiat Sedici | 72.7% | 50,835 | 65,010 mi | 20 yrs |
Compared to the Lexus IS200 (75.4% pass rate) and the Lexus Ct (86.8% pass rate), the Lexus Is outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Lexus Is you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Lexus IsShould you buy a used Lexus Is?
The Lexus Is has an overall MOT pass rate of 88.9% across 112,059 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.
On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Lexus Is with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.
A typical Lexus Is owner drives around 6,933 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Lexus Is models stay on UK roads for around 13 years. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.